Door and step operating mechanism.



H. ROWNTREE. DOOR AND STEP OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED TERA, 1909.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Mme whoa flown tree- H. ROWNTBEE. DOOR AND STEP OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 1 33.4, 1909. 1,014,997, Patented-Jan. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. ROWNTREE.

DOOR AND STEP OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED PEBA, 1909.

LUIQQ'YU Patented Jan. 16,1912.

3SHEETSSHEBT 3.

vHAROLD ROWNTREE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

NATIONALPNEUMATIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

noon. ANDSTEP OPERATING MEcrrAmsM.

interior.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Jan, 16, 1912.

Application filed February 4, 190a. Serial-N0. 476,031.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, HAROLD ROWNTREE, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at.

Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Door and Step Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a movable step.

specification.

This invention relates to door and'step.

operating mechanism, and particularly to folding doors or doors composed of foldabl'e panels and mechanism for operating the same either alone or in association with a The object of the invention is to provide a construction of folda-ble door' and 'means for operating the same in association with a 'movable-step,'and which is simple and eiiicient in operation.

A further ob ect 1s to provide a construc tion of door and operating means therefor- .wherein the door 1s made mlnnged or p1v-' -with a movable step, with means controllable from a convenient point within the car for operating the door'and step. a

' Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. I

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully herei'nafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying rawings, and finally pointedout in the appended claims. r

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 1s a view in slde elevation, of a foldahle door and. a cooperating step and showing a form of operating mechanism therefor, and

embodying the principles of my invention, 1 the upper part of thedoor sectlons being broken off. Fig. 2 1s a top plan showmgthe door panels .occupying closed position and one form of connect ng mechanism therefor for folding the: panels up on each other 111 opening. Fig. 3 is a viewsimilart'o-Fi-g. 2,

showing thepanels of one door in folded position to open the doorway. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing an other form-of connecting mechanism for the door panels, and embraced within the scope of my invention. Fig. 5 is a-view in side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in section, takenitransversely of a street or other car, showing a form and arrangement of manual operating means adapted for use in connection with my invention. Fig. 7 is a view in diagram showing another form of door and step *operating mechanism embraced within the scope of my invention, the door panels being shown 111 folded relation, and the doorway open, Fig. 8 is a- View similar to Fig. 7, showing the door panels in distended rela- .t1on, w1t-h the doorway closed. i

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I employ a door composed of panels or sections suitably hinged or otherwise connected together for relative swinging or other movement, where- ,by, in opening the door panels fold upon eachgother and in closing they are distended into alined relation, and I provide suitable connecting mechanism intermediate the door panels or sections, whereby the enforced movement of one section which may be called the primary or master section for description purposes, will cause the proper movements of the other sections or panels into their opened or closed position as the case may be. The enforced movement of the 5 primary or mastersection or panel of the door may be accomplished manually or by power mechanism as may be desired, and may be controlled from any suitable or desired point within the contemplation of my invention. I also propose to employ, when desired; a step as, for instance, when the apparatus is employed on'a street or other car, I provide suitable connections to secure coincident and cooperative operation of the step with the door.

In the practical application of my invention, and particularly where the apparatus is employed on a street railway, elevator,

or other car, I prefer. to so arrange the door panels or sections, and their connecting and operating mechanism that, in opening, the

central panel or panels, that is, the ones 0c- I when closed, will move outwardly thereby permitting occupants of the car to stand or remain in close proximity to the door with- 'out interfering with the proper operation thereof.

' In the accompanying drawings I have shown various constructions, forms and arrangements embodying the principles of my invention, which I will now proceed to describe more in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have shown my invention as embodied in a double folding door, each composed of suitably hinged or relatively movable panels or sections as above indicated, one foldable door being arranged on one side of the doorway and the other on the other side of the doorway, the two coopcrating together to open and close the doorway when properly operated. My invention, however, as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted to a double folding door construction. In these views of the drawings reference signs 1, 1, designate what, for descriptive purposes, I shall refer to as the primary or master sections or panels of the two halves respectively of the double door. These panels or sections are respectively secured rigidly or otherwise at one edge, to the shafts 2, 2, vertically journaled adjacent the door vjambs, whereby, by rotating said shafts these primary or master door sections or panels will be rocked or moved about the axes of said shafts. The panels or sections 3, 3, of the door are respectively hinged or otherwise suitably connected for relative movement to the other edges of the primary sections 1, 1 The shafts 2, 2, are geared to a rock shaft 6, suitably and conveniently journaled, whereby, by rocking shaft 6, a coincident rocking movement of shafts 2 in unison with each other is secured. A single bevel gear arrangement 4, 5, is shown for connecting the shafts 2 and 6.

' I will. now describe one -form of'means for connecting the panels or sectionsof the door so as to secure a coincident operation thereof in unison when the primary or master panels are .moved. Mounted concentrically with the shafts 2, but secured rigidly against rotative movement therewith, is a gear wheel 17, see Figs. 2 and 3. A gear wheel 18, preferably of one half the diameter of gear wheel. 17, is secured rigidly to the hinged edge of door panel 3, being arranged in axial line with the hinge of said panel, and preferably secured to the hinge axis or pin thereof. An intermediate gear 19 intermeshes with the-gears 17, 18. From this arrangement of gearing connections it will be readily seen that when either of the shafts 2 is given an axial rotative movement through an arc of ninety degrees, that is,

is given a one quarter revolution, the primary door panel 1, associated therewith is brought into the position sn wn in Fig. 3, while, at the same time, the door panel 3, is, through the connecting gearing above described, folded upon the section or panel 1, as shown in Fig. 3, the hinged edge thereof moving in one direction through an arc of ninety, degrees and the outer or free edge of such panel moving in the opposite di rection through a similar are, thereby securing an openingof the door way by reason of the door sections or panels folding upon each other and against the sides of the doorway. Where a double door is employed it is evident that each half will be similarly operated and in unison, the sections of one half folding upon each other and upon one side or j amb of the doorway and the sections of the outer half folding upon each other and upon the other side or jamb of the door.

It is obvious that'many other forms of connections between the door panels may be employed, and each door may be com posed of more than two panels, without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown a door composed of three panels or sections, though in this respect I do not desire to be limited *or restricted, and instead of intermeshing .gears I employ sprocket 'chains operating around gear wheels. Thus one gear wheel 50, is stationary and has the same. arrangement and relation with respect to the shaft 2 and the primary door panel or section 51, as the gear wheel 17, above described. The pivot pin '52, of the panel 54, carries t-wo gears 53, 56, the former being secured to panel 5 1, while the latter is secured to panel 51. The pivot pin 57, of panel 55, carries one gear 58 which is secured to panel 55. A. sprocket chain 59, operates over the gears and 53, while a sprocket chain 60, operates over gears 56 and 58. In this manner 'it will be obvious that as many door panels or sections as desired may be employed, and that when the shaft 2 is rocked, as above explained, the several sections or panels of the door will fold upon each other and upon the side of the doorway, in opening, or will be distended. into alinementwith each other in .closingv The constructions of folding doors as heretofore employed have been open to the objections that when moved to complete open position, that is, when the panels are in parallel position, it requires a complicated arrangement of lever mechanism to operate them and the door is caused to open inwardly. This is objectionable in the case of street or other cars for thereason that with the door opening in this manner passengers or occupants of the carfif standing close tothedoor are liable to interfere with the operation of the door or else to be injured thereby. In an arrangeamenabled not only to avoid the necessity for the use of complicated lever connections, but also to cause the central door panels to move outwardly in opening, thereby enabling occupants orpassengers of the.

car to stand in close proximity to the door- .way without interfering with the proper operation or the door.

It is desi ble to employ a foldableor movable step and to associate the same with the door operating mechanism so. that when the door panels are folded upon each other or moved into "open position the step will move automatically and'coincidentl-y into pootherwise, rigidly to shaft 6, whereby when said shaft is rocked to operate the door sections or panels, thestep is comcidently operated. A' .limit stop 22 connected to the bracket which carries the step and arranged to bringup against the shaft 2,.or other convenient part may serve to give a rigid support for the step when in position for .use.

As above indicated the doors, or the door and step, where a step is employed, may be operated 111 any convenient manner, manu-- ally, or bypower mechanism, or otherwise,

as may be desired, and from any suitable or convenient point. In-Fig. 1, I have 7 shown one form of power mechanism for this purpose, and comprising a power cylinder G1, controlled by a valve mechanism arranged in casing 16, and operated in any suitable manner, as for instance by a-control lever62, and intermediate connections 63,

64 and 15. A rocking gear 65, operated by.

the motor 61, .has an arm 13, connected by a link 12, to one arm of a bell crank lever 11, the other arm of said bell crank lever being connected by rod 10, with a crank arm 9 on the rock shaft 6. The power mechanism above described may be of any desired construction and arrangement and capable of securing a cushioning eft'ect,

-- as more fully shown,described ant ,claimed' in my Patent No. 870,051, "granted Nov.-5, 1907, and pending application- Serial No. 393,911, filed Sept. 21, 1907, and in the pending application of Paris R. Forman, Serial No. 393,908, filed SeptQQl, 1907.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a construction of ment embodying my invention, however, I'

mai1ually operated mechanism which is well adapted foruse in connection with my invention, wherein a'hand'lever 23,- is' placed in convenientposition, preferably at apoint within the car, and intermediate't-he transverse width thereof, and, if desired, at near or adjacent a convenient point to be within easy reach of the conductor, either when occupying a position where he collects the fares of the passengers or .at anydesired or convenient location. This hand-lever is connected to a rock shaft 24, which, if desired, may extend up through the floor of,

the car and through a post 25, or otherwise,

as may be convenient or desired. Upon the lower end of shaft 24, ismounted a gear wheel 26, meshing with and actuating another gear Wheelv 27, having eccentrically connected: thereto one end of a rod 28, the other endofsaid rod being connected to the crank arm- 9 on shaft 6, The shaft 24, may

be prevented from rotating too far in any; suitable or convenient manner, as, for 111- stance, by means of stops 29, carriedby gear 26, and adapted to strikeagain'stthe bracket 30, in which-shaft 24, isjournaledmr other;

suitable or convenient point; It maybe desirable tofpre ent the doors or door panels 'from' being,- orciblymoved out of their completely. closed position by pressure applied thereto, as, for instance a by passengers in a car pressing thereagainst.

This may :be accomplished in" many spe- -cifically"difi'erent ,'ways.- ;I have. shown a,

simple and eflicient construction for the purpose, whereln I provide the door panels 3,

,at a convenient point on their outer or free edges with lugs or shoes 20, adapted, when the door panels or sections are in their completely closed position to engage or enter between the guide plates 21. It is obvious that many other. specific structures might well subserve the same purpose. By the provision of such meansitwill be readily seen that thegear connections between the various panels are relieved of strain in case the door panels are pressed against. It may also be de irable to provide means for automatically ocking the door panelsin their completely closed position This may beaccomplished in many specifically different ways. For instance, in the case of the use ofpower mechanism for operating the apparatus thelevcr connections intermediate the motor and the shaft 6, may be arranged at some convenient point to pass a dead center as thedoor panels attain completely closed position. In the form shown thefllink or rod 12 may be employed and arranged in this manner to accomplish the desired result. Similarlythe doors may be 1 locked in their completely opened position.

27, that the latter will rotate slightly beyond a half revolution While the door moves from one limit of its movement thereby causing the rod :28 to assume dead center incidently therewith, but in this case a slid ing step is employed instead of a folding step, but the principle is the same. in this form the movable step 39 has the arms 30, attached at one end thereto at the points31, near one edge thereof, the other ends of said arms being attached as at 32, to the hinges which connect the panels of the doors together. 'Arms 33, are attached to the free edges, of the outer panels 70, said arms 33,

- being pivoted at 34, and connected together to move in' unison as, for instance, by the cross arm 35. one end to any arm 36, of the arms 33, and at the other end to a link 38, which is connected to the edge of the step 39. An operating shaft 42 which may be rocked by a control handle, or otherwise and from any suitable or convenient point, is provided with an arm 41, connected by a link 40, to the central point "of lever 37.

Fronrthis construction and z-irrangement it will be seen that when the crank arm 41 is rocked in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, it tends to more both ends of the lever 37 through the intermediate connection 40. But since the doors are in completely closed position and are in dead center relation, the end of lever 37, which is connected to arm as. cannot move, but the end of said lever which is connected by l nk 38, to the step 39 can move thereby causing the step to move outwardly into position for use taking with it the hinges 32 of the door panels by reason of the arms 30, there- 'by breaking the dead center alinemeut of the door panels and hence enabling the whole mechanism to move in unison until the door is in its fully opened position and the step is in its completely operative ponected tollt he arm 36, is free to move and the A lever 37, is connected at mences the locking relation of arm 30 is released and thereafter the whole mechanism moves in unison to the closed positions.

I do not claim herein the combination which includes the door and the door operating mechanism per 86, as the subject-matter thereof is claimed in my application Serial No. 569,843, filed Jur 1st, 1910.

The principles of my invention may be embodied in many otherdifferent constructions and arrangements and still fall within the scope of my invention. While, therefore, I have shown and described various specific constructions and embodiments in the broadest scopeof my invention as defined in the claims I do not desire to be limited or restrictedto such specific constructions.

' It is obvious that my invention is well adapted for use in any relation or situation Where hinged or foldable doors, or hinged or foldable doors and stepsassociated together are employed, as in street or other railway cars, elevators, houses or other buildings, or the like. limited in respect of the location or place of use of the apparatus. And While a construction embodying the principles of my invention is adapted for use generally, it is particularly desirable in connection with the doors of street or other cars, and especially for the doors in the sides of the cars since I avoid the necessity for providing pockets in the sides of the car to receive the doors when I do not desire therefore, to be open and since the doors are not required to slide in a right line they may be applied to the rounding or slightly tapering contour of the car platforms at the ends of the cars, and hence may be applied to cars already built, and not requiring "a special construction of car body. But

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention, and various constructions embodying the principles thereof, and having explained such constructions, theirpurposes, functions and modes ofoperation, what I claim as new and useful, and of my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A door including. swinging panels,

, gearing intermediate said panels for folding the same the one-upon the-other, a movable step, and means also operating to move said step whereby all of said parts inove in unison. v

2. A door composed of panels hinged together, gearing interm diate adj aeent panels and operating, wherro e panel is moved to swing the next adj acent'panel relative thereto, a movable step and means for moving one of said panels, said means also operating to move said step. 7

3. A door composedof foldable panels, an

operating shaft therefor,

unison.

a driving shaft forthe operating shaft, 21 step having operating connection with said driving shaft, and'means for operating said driving shaft whereby said door panels andstep are operated in unison. 1 V

4. A door composed of foldable panels in" combination with a movable step, and a motor for operating the panels and step in 5. A door composed of swinging sections in combination with a step, and a motor for operating the swinging door sections and step in unison.

witnesses, on this 18 day 6. In a car, a door composedof swinging sections, a. pivoted step, means controllable from a point within the car for simultaneously operating the door and step, and means for locking the swinging door sec- .1 tions in closed position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing of February A. 1)..

C. OxHUNiOKE, S. E.- DARBY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained 'for five cents each, by addressihg the Commissioner of Patents,

7 Washington, D. C. 

